SUPPORT Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014

Happy #SmallBizSat Eve! Tomorrow, head over to your favorite local shops and celebrate small businesses!

Healthy Eats Stir Pottstown’s Food Scene At iCreate Cafe

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Until a few years ago, Ash Khalil ate meat.

Learning the health benefits of a nutrient-rich diet made of mostly plant-based foods inspired him to open the iCreate Cafe in Pottstown in 2012.

Those who visit the cafe often describe it to others as a mix of vegan, vegetarian and in some cases gluten-free menu musts, with strong Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences in many of the dishes.

Khalil is an eight-year survivor of kidney cancer and said not once did his doctors ever talk to him about the foods he ate and how they might have impacted his health situation.

See more at: http://readingeagle.com/money/article/healthy-eats-stir-pottstowns-food-scene-at-icreate-cafe#sthash.yi5Oznyg.dpuf

Dilapidated Buildings Hinder Greensburg Downtown Growth

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Westmoreland County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leaky roofs and outdated structures are one big reason why about 20 percent of downtown Greensburg storefronts are vacant, despite businesses clamoring to move in, according to the Greensburg Community Development Corp.

The nonprofit plans to purchase four of the dilapidated buildings within the next year, and pursue private and public grants to fix them up and resell them to private owners, said Steven Gifford, its executive director.

Downtown real estate is in demand, with more businesses wanting to move into storefronts than there is space available, according to Gifford. Despite this, about one-fifth of the city’s 138 storefronts remain vacant, often because they are too run down or unsafe to occupy.

The development corporation has identified seven buildings with leaking roofs, and another five that cannot be occupied because of building code deficiencies, such as missing sprinkler systems and staircases.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/7098524-74/buildings-gifford-owners#ixzz3J9lEs6Fm
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West Reading’s 19th Annual Art On The Avenue

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (RAIN OR SHINE)

The West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation is proud to present the nineteenth annual Art on the Avenue.  The community’s premier family festival features fine arts and crafts made by local juried artists.  Each year thousands of people are drawn to Penn Avenue, West Reading as the event continues to grow.  Located in the Greater Reading hub for arts, culture, shopping, and dining, this event appeals to both novice buyers and experienced art patrons.  Additionally the venue features live music, street performers, local businesses, and specialty foods.

For more information visit www.ArtOnTheAvenue.wrcrf.org

Pottstown Shop-Local-First “Cash Mob” Event

Saturday, December 3, 2011, 11:00 AM

Gallery on High

254 East High Street Pottstown, PA (map)

Details:

$20 is the weapon of choice for Re-Occupy Pottstown Local Businesses’ next shop-local-first event, “Cash Mob.” For each “cash mob” event there will be a prearranged meeting spot (our first “cash mob” location will be The Gallery on High on Saturday, December 3 at 11 am). We will meet with $20 in hand ready to be spent at the local business (anyone can spend more if you are able and would like, of course). 

This is a great demonstration of how, with a focused, joint effort, each person’s purchasing power can truly make a difference.